JP7472938B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a technique for selecting and executing a function from a standby screen displayed on a display unit.

As various devices configured to execute multiple functions, there is known an information processing device that displays a tab-format operation screen on a touch panel and allows the display content of the operation screen to be changed by switching the tabs, as described in Patent Document 1.

In the information processing device described in Patent Document 1, the operation screen is divided into tabs for each defined function, such as copy function and fax function, and an extension tab is also provided. In the extension tab, keys are arranged on which functions that can be arbitrarily registered by the user and are executed based on the user's frequently used settings or processing contents.

JP 2010-262501 A

In the information processing device described in Patent Document 1, a tab for a specified function and a tab for a registration function are provided separately. Therefore, for example, when a user wishes to use one of the specified functions and then use a specific registration function, or vice versa, the user must switch tabs, which is not necessarily user-friendly.

A first exemplary function executing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit, a touch panel, and a control unit capable of executing a plurality of functions. The touch panel is configured to detect a pointing operation by a pointer on the display unit and a position where the pointing operation is performed. The control unit executes a standby screen display process to display a standby screen on the display unit.

The standby screen has a tab display area and a tab screen display area. The tab display area is an area where a plurality of tabs are displayed. The tab screen display area is an area where a tab screen corresponding to one of a plurality of tab screens that is in a selected state is displayed. Each of the plurality of tab screens includes a plurality of icons associated with the tab corresponding to the tab screen.

Furthermore, in at least one of the plurality of tab screens, the plurality of icons on the tab screen include a default function icon and at least one of a shortcut registration icon and a shortcut icon. The default function icon is an icon registered in advance for each of the plurality of functions to execute one of the plurality of functions. The shortcut registration icon is an icon for registering a shortcut function for executing one of the plurality of functions under a specific execution condition set in advance. The shortcut icon is an icon for executing the registered shortcut function, which is generated in place of the shortcut registration icon by registering a shortcut function to the shortcut registration icon.

The control unit further executes tab screen switching processing and icon operation response processing. The tab screen switching processing is a process in which, when a standby screen is displayed on the display unit and an operation is performed on one of the multiple tabs displayed in the tab display area of the standby screen that is not currently selected, the tab that was operated on is selected in place of the currently selected tab, and a tab screen corresponding to the selected tab is displayed in the tab screen display area.

The icon operation response process is configured to start a process for executing a function registered in a default function icon when a default function icon is displayed on the standby screen and the default function icon is operated by pointing to the default function icon, to start a process for generating a shortcut icon in place of a shortcut registration icon by registering a shortcut function to the shortcut registration icon when a shortcut registration icon is displayed on the standby screen and the shortcut registration icon is operated by pointing to the default function icon, and to start a process for executing a shortcut function registered in the shortcut icon when a shortcut icon is displayed on the standby screen and the shortcut icon is operated by pointing to the default function icon.

In a function execution device configured in this way, at least one of the individual tab screens for each tab includes not only a default function icon, but also at least one of an icon for registering a shortcut and a shortcut icon.

In other words, the default function icon for the default function and at least one of the shortcut registration icon and the shortcut icon can be displayed simultaneously on the standby screen. Therefore, when at least one of the tab screens that can be displayed simultaneously is displayed on the standby screen, the user can select the default function icon, or at least one of the shortcut registration icon and the shortcut icon from the tab screen.

Therefore, according to the function executing device having such a configuration, it is possible to improve the ease of use when selecting a function to be executed from the standby screen in tab format.
A second exemplary printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit, a touch panel, and a control unit. The touch panel is capable of detecting an instruction operation by an indicator on the display unit and a position where the instruction operation is performed. The control unit is capable of executing a plurality of image forming processes including a printing process.
The control unit is configured to be capable of executing a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen in an image display area on the display unit. The standby screen includes one icon screen that is alternatively selected from among a plurality of icon screens. Each of the plurality of icon screens includes a plurality of icons arranged in m rows and n columns, where m and n are natural numbers. Each of the plurality of icons is displayed in a manner including an icon image and an icon name.
The control unit is further capable of executing a shortcut icon arrangement process, in which the shortcut icon arrangement process arranges the shortcut icon on one of the plurality of icon screens together with a default icon that is different from the shortcut icon, as one of the plurality of icons, in response to receiving an addition instruction for instructing addition of a shortcut icon via the touch panel.
The additional instruction includes a first operation for specifying one of the plurality of image forming processes, and a second operation for specifying an execution condition of the image forming process specified by the first operation. The shortcut icon is an icon in which the image forming process specified by the first operation and the execution condition specified by the second operation are registered. The default icon is an icon arranged on the icon screen without relying on the additional instruction, and includes an icon associated with one of the plurality of image forming processes.
The control unit can further execute an icon operation response process, an authentication process, and an editing process. The icon operation response process starts a process for executing an image forming process registered to an icon when an icon arranged on the standby screen is operated. The authentication process determines whether or not a specific authentication condition is satisfied. When an editing operation is performed with an icon group screen displayed in the image display area in response to the authentication condition being satisfied by the authentication process, the editing process edits the arrangement of a plurality of icons on one or more of the plurality of icon screens based on the editing operation.
The icon group screen is an image including a plurality of icons included in one of a plurality of icon screens, the plurality of icons being arranged in m rows and n columns, and each of the plurality of icons including an icon image and an icon name. The editing operation is an operation for editing the arrangement of the plurality of icons in one or more of the plurality of icon screens.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a function execution device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation panel of the function executing device according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a standby screen according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a pseudo standby screen according to an embodiment. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of various editing operations for an icon. 7A to 7C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of various editing operations for icons (continuation of FIG. 5 ). 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pseudo standby screen when a fax icon is removed from the standby screen and the fax reception mode is set to a fax-only mode; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a pseudo standby screen when a fax icon is removed from the standby screen and the fax reception mode is set to manual mode; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main control process according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
1. Embodiment
(1-1) Configuration of the Function Executing Device The function executing device 10 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has multiple defined functions, such as a scan function that reads an image of an original document and generates image data of the read image, a print function that prints the image on recording paper, a copy function that prints the image read by the scan function on recording paper by the print function, and a facsimile function that sends and receives facsimile data.

As shown in FIG. 1, the function execution device 10 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an input unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a printing unit 16, a media interface unit 17, a first communication unit 18, and a second communication unit 19, which are interconnected via a bus 20. The media interface unit is hereinafter abbreviated as "media I/F."

The control unit 11 has a CPU. The storage unit 12 has a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, RAM, NVRAM, or flash memory. In other words, the function execution device 10 has a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

The control unit 11 realizes various functions by executing a program stored in a non-transitive physical recording medium. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 corresponds to the non-transitive physical recording medium storing the program. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing a program, and some or all of them may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

The memory unit 12 stores data for various screens to be displayed on the display unit 13, including a standby screen 25 (see FIG. 2) described below. The memory unit 12 also stores a main control processing program in FIG. 9 described below. The programs for executing the above functions may be included as part of the main control processing program, or may be separate programs from the main control processing program.

The display unit 13 includes a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.
The input unit 14 has input devices for receiving various input operations. The input devices of the input unit 14 include a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, and a touch panel 14a, all of which are shown in Fig. 2. The touch panel 14a is disposed in an image display area on the display device of the display unit 13 where an image is displayed.

The touch panel 14a is capable of detecting a pointing operation by contact or proximity of a pointer to the image display area of the display unit 13. That is, when a pointing operation is being performed by a pointer to the image display area of the display unit 13, the touch panel 14a is configured to be capable of outputting position information indicating the pointing position where the pointing operation is being performed. The touch panel 14a of this embodiment is configured to output position information continuously or periodically while a pointing operation is being performed by the pointer. Note that the touch panel 14a may be configured to detect only contact as a pointing operation, may be configured to detect only proximity, or may be configured to detect both contact and proximity.

The control unit 11 acquires position information output from the touch panel 14a, and based on the acquired position information, can detect whether or not a pointing operation has been performed by the indicator, the pointing position when a pointing operation has been performed, and at least one type of specific operation by the indicator when a pointing operation has been performed.

The specific operation detectable by the control unit 11 includes at least a tap operation in which a pointing operation is performed with a pointer and then the pointer is released at the same position. There are various possible specific forms of the pointer capable of performing the pointing operation, and for example, the pointer may be a fingertip or a specific pointing device such as a stylus pen.

The image reading unit 15 includes an image sensor, reads an image of a document, and generates image data of the read image. The image reading unit 15 may include an ADF. Note that ADF is an abbreviation for Automatic Document Feeder, which means an automatic document feeder. The image reading unit 15 may also be configured to perform so-called double-sided scanning, which reads images on both sides of a document set on a document tray or the ADF.

The printing unit 16 has a printing mechanism using inkjet technology or electrophotography technology, and is capable of printing images on sheet-like recording paper. The printing unit 16 may also be configured to be capable of performing so-called double-sided printing, which prints images on both sides of the recording paper.

The media I/F 17 is an interface unit into which various storage media, such as a USB flash memory, can be attached, and controls the writing and reading of data to the attached storage media.

The first communication unit 18 is a communication interface for connecting the function executing device 10 to a network for data communication. The first communication unit 18 may be connectable to at least one of various networks such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and the Internet. The function executing device 10 may be capable of wired or wireless data communication with various information processing devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals via the first communication unit 18. The function executing device 10 may also be connected to the Internet via the first communication unit 18 and capable of data communication with various other servers and various information processing devices via the Internet.

The second communication unit 19 is an interface unit for communicating with external devices via the communication line 100. In this embodiment, the communication line 100 connected to the second communication unit 19 is, for example, a public telephone network. In the facsimile function, transmission and reception of facsimile data is basically performed via the second communication unit 19.

The function executing device 10 has a line side jack 106 for connecting to an external device via a communication line 100, and a telephone side jack 107 for connecting an external telephone 110. Each of these jacks 106, 107 is configured as a modular jack of the same shape. The second communication unit 19 is connected to each of these jacks 106, 107.

The second communication unit 19 is connected to the communication line 100 via the line side jack 106. Also, when an external telephone 110 is connected to the telephone side jack 107, the second communication unit 19 is connected to the external telephone 110 via the telephone side jack 107. Also, the external telephone 110 is directly connected to the communication line 100 via the telephone side jack 107 and the line side jack 106.

(1-2) Configuration of Operation Panel An operation panel 3 shown in Fig. 2 is provided on one side of a housing (not shown) of the function executing device 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation panel 3 is provided with a power button 5, a numeric keypad 6, a back button 7, a home button 8, a stop button 9, a display unit 13, and a touch panel 14a. In more detail, the display unit 13 shown in Fig. 2 indicates an image display area in a display device of the display unit 13. The touch panel 14a is superimposed over almost the entire range of this image display area.

The power button 5 is a hardware key operated by the user to turn on and off the power of the function executing device 10. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the function executing device 10 and start its operation, the control unit 11 performs a specific initialization process and then causes the display unit 13 to display a standby screen 25. The user can perform various input operations starting from the standby screen 25 to switch the screen displayed on the display unit 13, make various settings, and execute various functions.

The numeric keypad 6 is a collective term for multiple hard keys including hard keys for the numbers 0 to 9 that are operated by the user primarily when entering numbers, for example when entering a destination number for facsimile data or the number of copies in the copy function.

The back button 7 is a hard key operated by the user to return the screen of the display unit 13 to the screen that was displayed immediately before the currently displayed screen. The home button 8 is a hard key operated by the user to display the standby screen 25 on the display unit 13. The stop button 9 is a hard key operated by the user to stop an operation currently being processed.

(1-3) Description of the standby screen The standby screen 25 is a so-called tab-format screen, and a screen corresponding to any one of the multiple tabs that is in a selected state is displayed on the standby screen 25. Each of the multiple tabs is individually associated with a tab screen, and the standby screen 25 displays the tab screen corresponding to the selected tab.

Various information required to display the standby screen 25, such as image information for each tab and information for each icon included in each tab screen associated with each tab, as well as information regarding the content of the processing to be executed when various input operations are performed on the standby screen 25 via the input unit 14, are stored in the memory unit 12.

2, the standby screen 25 has a tab display area 30 and a tab screen display area 36. In addition, the standby screen 25 displays an administrator button 28.
A maximum of four tabs are displayed in the tab display area 30. In this embodiment, the total number of tabs Nt is greater than four, which is the maximum number of tabs that can be simultaneously displayed on the standby screen 25. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a first tab 31, a second tab 32, a third tab 33, and a fourth tab 34 are displayed in the tab display area 30 out of the Nt tabs, ie, the first tab to the Nt-th tab.

Each tab displays its own name. A selected tab is displayed in a different manner from the other tabs. Examples of a different manner for a tab include making the tab a different color from the other tabs, making the tab larger than the other tabs, adding a specific decoration to the tab, and so on. Figure 2 shows an example in which the first tab 31 is selected and displayed in a different color from the other tabs.

Each tab screen associated with each tab is a screen on which multiple icons are arranged. In this embodiment, eight icons are displayed on one tab screen. That is, the tab screen display area 36 on the standby screen 25 displays a tab screen corresponding to one selected tab out of the tab screens (the first tab screen to the Ntth tab screen) corresponding to each of the total Nt tabs, the first tab to the Ntth tab. Figure 2 shows an example in which the first tab screen 40, which is a tab screen associated with the first tab 31 in the selected state, is displayed.

The first tab screen 40 displays a first icon 41 to an eighth icon 48. The specific type of each icon can be changed by an administrator, as described later. In the first tab screen 40 shown in FIG. 2, the first icon 41 is a fax icon, the second icon 42 is a copy icon, the third icon 43 is a scan icon, and the fourth icon 44 is a fax icon.
The icon 44 is an unregistered icon, the fifth icon 45 is a setting menu icon, the sixth icon 46 is a secure print icon, the seventh icon 47 is a 2-in-1 ID copy icon, and the eighth icon 48 is an unregistered icon.

A left button 26 and a right button 27 are displayed near both ends of the tab display area 30 on the standby screen 25. The left-right arrangement order of the Nt tabs is predetermined. If another tab is arranged to the left of the four currently displayed tabs, the tab to be displayed can be scrolled to the right by tapping the left button 26, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the left of the four currently displayed tabs. Conversely, if another tab is arranged to the right of the four currently displayed tabs, the tab to be displayed can be scrolled to the left by tapping the right button 27, thereby displaying the tab arranged to the right of the four currently displayed tabs.

If you want to switch from the tab screen of the currently selected tab to the tab screen of another tab, just tap the tab you want to switch to. If you tap a tab other than the currently selected tab, the tapped tab becomes selected, and the tab screen display area 36 of the standby screen 25 displays the tab screen corresponding to the newly selected tab.

For example, as shown on the left side of FIG. 3, assume that a first tab screen 40 corresponding to a first tab 31 is displayed as the standby screen 25. From this state, for example, when a second tab 32 with a tab name of "Basic Functions 2" is tapped, the selected tab switches from the first tab 31 to the second tab 32 as shown on the right side of FIG. 3, and a second tab screen 50 corresponding to the second tab 32 after the switch is displayed in the tab screen display area 36.

Eight icons, the first icon 51 to the eighth icon 58, are also displayed on the second tab screen 50. On the second tab screen 50, the first icon 51 is a media print icon, the second icon 52 is a cloud icon, the third icon 53 is a handy tool icon, and the fifth icon 55 is a shortcut icon for the scan to file function described below. The fourth icon 54 and the sixth icon 56 to the eighth icon 58 are all unregistered icons.

The icons included in the tab screen of the standby screen 25 can be broadly categorized into three types. Specifically, there are function execution icons, setting icons, and unregistered icons. A function execution icon is an icon in which a function to be executed is registered in order to execute one of the above-mentioned multiple specified functions possessed by the function executing device 10. A setting icon is an icon in which a specific item or a list of multiple items to be set is registered in order to set various setting items. An unregistered icon is an icon in which no functions or setting items are registered, and which allows the user to register any new function or setting item.

Function execution icons are further classified into two types: default function icons and shortcut icons. Default function icons are icons in which a default function to be executed is registered in order to execute one of multiple default functions possessed by the function executing device 10, such as a scan function, print function, copy function, facsimile function, web service function, or handy tool function. Default function icons are registered in advance when the function executing device 10 is shipped. Various setting values registered in default function icons are predetermined default values. However, the user can confirm and change the default values when tapping the default function icon to execute the corresponding function.

The shortcut icon is registered with a shortcut function that executes any one of the above-mentioned functions under a specific execution condition preset by the user. The shortcut icon is not an icon that is pre-registered at the time of shipping the function executing device 10, but an icon that is generated in place of an unregistered icon when the user arbitrarily performs a registration operation on the unregistered icon.

While the default function icons have preset initial settings for each setting, the shortcut icons allow the user to freely set and register the function to be executed and the settings under which that function is to be executed.

For unregistered icons, you can register any shortcut function to make it a shortcut icon, or you can register any function to make it a default function icon, or register any setting item to make it a settings icon.

Shortcut icons are further classified into two types: normal shortcut icons and one-touch shortcut icons. A normal shortcut icon is a shortcut icon that is configured so that when the normal shortcut icon is tapped, it does not immediately start the registered shortcut function, but instead displays a specified confirmation screen.

Tapping a shortcut icon normally displays a confirmation screen through which the user can confirm or change the settings for the shortcut function. After the confirmation screen is displayed, the registered shortcut function is started when a specific execution start operation is performed.

On the other hand, a one-touch shortcut icon is an icon that is configured so that when the one-touch shortcut icon is tapped, the registered shortcut function is started immediately without the need for any input operation by the user.

In the standby screen 25 on the left side of Figures 2 and 3, on which the first tab screen 40 corresponding to the first tab 31 is displayed, the fax icon as the first icon 41 is a default function icon for executing the facsimile function. The copy icon as the second icon 42 is a default function icon for executing the copy function. The scan icon as the third icon 43 is a default function icon for executing the scan function. The setting menu icon as the fifth icon 45 is a setting icon for setting the setting value of at least one type of setting item.

The security printing icon as the sixth icon 46 is a specified function icon for executing security printing among the printing functions. Security printing is a specific execution mode of the printing function, and is a function in which printing is executed by sending a password-protected print job from various information processing devices such as a personal computer or smartphone to the function executing device 10, and then entering the same password on the function executing device 10.

The 2-in-1 ID copy icon as the seventh icon 47 is a specified function icon for executing the copy function, particularly 2-in-1 ID copy. 2-in-1 ID copy is a specific execution mode of the copy function, and is a function that reads images on both sides of a card-sized document and prints the images on both sides on the same side of a sheet of recording paper.

3, on the standby screen 25 on which the second tab screen 50 corresponding to the second tab 32 is displayed, the media print icon as the first icon 51 is a default function icon for executing media printing among the printing functions. Media printing is a specific execution mode of the printing function. Specifically, media printing is a function for printing an image of image data stored in a storage medium connected to the media I/F 17 by the printing function.

The cloud icon as the second icon 52 is a default function icon for using a web service function. The web service function is a function for using a web service provided via a network such as the Internet, which allows uploading of images and files, viewing of uploaded images, downloading of uploaded images, etc.

The useful tool icon as the third icon 53 is a default function icon for using the useful tool function. The useful tool function is a function for accessing a specific tool content providing site via a network such as the Internet and using various services provided by the tool content providing site.

The fifth icon 55 is a shortcut icon for the scan-to-file function, which is a shortcut icon in which the shortcut function for the scan-to-file function described below is registered.

(1-4) Outline of Functions of Function Executing Device Functions that can be executed by the function executing device 10 and specific execution modes thereof will be described.
When a user wishes to use the copy function, the user places an original on a document tray or ADF (not shown) of the function executing device 10, and taps a copy icon on the standby screen 25 (in the example of FIG. 3, the second icon 42 on the first tab screen 40). Tapping the copy icon starts the copy function. Specifically, a copy setting screen is displayed on the display unit 13, showing default settings of various setting items required to execute the copy function. The various setting values can be confirmed, changed, etc. on the copy setting screen. Pressing the start button displayed on the copy setting screen executes the copy function based on the set setting values.

When the copy function is being executed, the pseudo standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 13. When the copy function being executed is finished, the screen displayed on the display unit 13 switches from the pseudo standby screen 80 back to the standby screen 25. The pseudo standby screen 80 displays an active function name 81 that indicates the function currently being executed. The pseudo standby screen 80 also displays a fax icon 86, a copy icon 87, and a scan icon 88 as default function icons.

By tapping any of these default function icons 86-88 displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80, the user can start the function corresponding to the tapped default function icon in parallel with the currently executing copy function. In this case, the functions that can be started in parallel are not limited to functions other than the currently executing function, and it is also possible to start the same function as the currently executing function in parallel. For example, while a copy function is being executed, the user can perform various setting operations for the next copy by tapping the copy icon 87 on the pseudo standby screen 80.

For example, by tapping the fax icon 86 on the pseudo standby screen 80, the user can perform the operation input required to send facsimile data in parallel with the copy function being executed. At this time, if the copy function has already finished reading the image of the document and is printing it onto recording paper, the user can set the document for facsimile transmission and execute facsimile transmission even while printing is in progress.

When a user wishes to use the scan function, the user places an original on a platen or ADF (not shown) of the function performing device 10, and taps a scan icon (the third icon 43 on the first tab screen 40 in the example of FIG. 3) on the standby screen 25. Tapping the scan icon starts the scan function. Specifically, a scan menu screen is displayed on the display unit 13. The scan menu includes, for example, scan to media, scan to file, and the like.

When the scan menu you want to execute is selected from the scan menu screen, the settings screen for the scan function corresponding to the selected scan menu is displayed. The settings screen for the scan function displays the default settings for the various setting items required to execute the scan function of the selected scan menu. On this settings screen, you can confirm or change the various settings. Then, when you tap the start button displayed on the settings screen, the scan function is executed based on the settings that have been set.

As with the aforementioned copy function, the pseudo standby screen 80 shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 13 while the scan function is being executed. By tapping any of the default function icons 86 to 88 displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80, the function corresponding to the default function icon tapped can be started in parallel with the currently executing scan function.

When the user wishes to use the fax function, the user taps the fax icon in the standby screen 25 (first icon 41 in the first tab screen 40 in the example of FIG. 3). Tapping the fax icon proceeds to processing for sending facsimile data. Specifically, a facsimile transmission setting screen is displayed on which the current settings of various settings required for facsimile transmission (e.g., document size, fax image quality, etc.) and an input field for the facsimile number are displayed. The user can enter the facsimile number in the facsimile transmission setting screen and tap the start button to send the facsimile data. Even while the facsimile data is being sent, the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed, and by tapping any of the default function icons in the pseudo standby screen 80, the function corresponding to the default function icon tapped can be started.

In this embodiment, there are at least two reception modes, which are the operating modes for receiving facsimile data in particular in the facsimile function: fax-only mode and manual mode. The user can set one of these two modes as the reception mode.

Of the two reception modes, manual mode is a function that is set when an external telephone 110 is connected to the function executing device 10 so that both facsimile and telephone calls can be used. Specifically, when an incoming call comes in from the line, a ringtone sounds the set number of times. If the external telephone 110 is put on-hook during this ringing, the external telephone 110 and the line are connected, and if it is a telephone call, an outside call can be made using the external telephone 110. On the other hand, if a facsimile call comes in, the facsimile data can be received by tapping the fax icon, which is one of the default function icons, and then following the screen display to instruct facsimile reception.

Next, we will explain the shortcut function. As mentioned above, the user can register shortcut functions to unregistered icons at their discretion. Functions that can be registered as shortcut functions include, for example, the prescribed functions mentioned above, namely the fax function, copy function, scan function, web service function, and convenient tool function.

For example, if you want to register a shortcut function for the copy function, first tap the unregistered icon included in the tab screen of any tab. When you tap the unregistered icon, a list of functions and settings that can be registered is displayed. The user can select the function or setting item to be registered from the displayed list.

When a setting item is selected, a new settings icon corresponding to that setting item is generated. In other words, the icon to be registered changes from an unregistered icon to the settings icon for the setting item just registered. From then on, you can check or change the setting value of the registered setting item by tapping this settings icon.

On the other hand, when any function is selected, a selection screen is displayed to allow the user to select whether to register that function as a default function icon or as a shortcut icon.

When registration as a default function icon is selected, a new default function icon corresponding to the selected function is generated. In other words, the icon to be registered changes from an unregistered icon to the default function icon that has just been registered. In this embodiment, it is also possible to newly register a default function icon that is the same as a default function icon that has already been provided at the time of shipment.

On the other hand, if registration as a shortcut icon is selected, a setting screen is displayed to allow the user to set the specific execution conditions under which the selected function will be executed. Through this setting screen, the user can arbitrarily set the specific execution conditions for the selected function, i.e., the setting values for the various setting items required to execute the selected function. Then, when the user performs an operation indicating completion of the settings, a shortcut icon capable of executing the selected function under the specific execution conditions is generated. In other words, the icon to be registered changes from an unregistered icon to a shortcut icon for the currently registered shortcut function. Thereafter, by tapping this shortcut icon, the registered function can be easily executed according to the specific execution conditions registered.

When registering a shortcut function, the user can choose whether to register the shortcut function as a normal shortcut function or as a one-touch shortcut function.

A normal shortcut function is a shortcut function in which tapping the shortcut icon does not immediately start function execution, but requires at least one further user operation to start function execution. In this embodiment, when the shortcut icon of a normal shortcut function is tapped, a confirmation screen including various setting values of the shortcut function and an OK button, etc. is displayed on the display unit 13. When the user taps the OK button on the confirmation screen, the registered shortcut function is executed.

The one-touch shortcut function is a shortcut function in which, when a shortcut icon is tapped, a function is automatically executed without requiring any further user operation.
In the standby screen 25 in a state where the second tab screen 50 shown on the right side of Fig. 3 is displayed, the fifth icon 55 is a shortcut icon in which a normal shortcut function is registered. As shown in Fig. 3, a normal shortcut mark 91 indicating that a normal shortcut function is registered is added to the shortcut icon of the normal shortcut function.

In addition, in the standby screen setting screen 60 shown in FIG. 5(b) described later, the eighth icon 48 included in the first tab screen 40 corresponding to the first tab 31 is a shortcut icon, and in particular indicates an icon to which a one-touch shortcut function is registered. As shown in FIG. 5(b), a one-touch shortcut mark 92 indicating that a one-touch shortcut function is registered is added to the shortcut icon to which a one-touch shortcut function is registered.

2 and 3, an administrator button 28 is displayed on the standby screen 25. When the administrator button 28 is tapped, an authentication screen for administrator authentication is displayed. When a predetermined input operation for authentication, such as inputting a password, is performed on the authentication screen, authentication processing is performed.

The authentication process is a process that determines whether or not a specific authentication condition is met. One of the authentication conditions is that the input password matches a legitimate password that has been registered in advance. If the authentication condition is met as a result of the authentication process, a standby screen setting screen 60 as shown in FIG. 5(a) is displayed on the display unit 13. The standby screen setting screen 60 is a screen that allows various editing operations to be performed on each icon included in each tab screen of each tab.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the standby screen setting screen 60 has a tab display area 30, a tab screen display area 36, and an edit button display area 61. Of these, the display contents of the tab display area 30 and the tab screen display area 36 are basically the same as those of the standby screen 25. Also, like the standby screen 25, the contents of the tab screen 40 can be switched by switching the selection state of the tab.

The edit button display area 61 displays individual icon edit buttons for each type of edit operation, for performing various edit operations on some or all of the icons included in each tab screen of each tab. Specifically, in this embodiment, the icon edit buttons displayed are a left move button 62, a right move button 63, a swap button 64, an erase button 65, and a all erase button 66.

The erase all button 66 is a button for erasing all icons registered in all tabs at once. When the erase all button 66 is tapped with no icons selected, a confirmation screen is displayed asking whether or not it is OK to erase all icons registered in all tabs at once. If the user responds to the confirmation screen by indicating that it is OK to erase all icons at once, all icons registered in all tabs are erased, and all icons in each tab become unregistered icons.

The erase button 65 is a button for erasing a specific selected icon (excluding unregistered icons). When the icon to be erased is selected by tapping the icon, and then the erase button 65 is tapped, the selected icon is erased and replaced with an unregistered icon.

The swap button 64 is a button for swapping the positions of any two icons. The procedure for swapping is roughly as follows. First, tap one of the two icons to be swapped (excluding an unregistered icon) to select it. In that state, tap the swap button 64. Then, tap the other of the two icons to be swapped (this can be an unregistered icon), and the positions of the two icons to be swapped will be swapped. Note that after tapping the swap button 64, it is also possible to swap icons between different tabs by switching tabs and selecting an icon on a different tab.

The right movement button 63 is a button for moving one of the icons to the right of that icon. When the icon to be moved moves to the right, the other icon that was originally placed to the right of it moves to the left in reverse. In other words, the right movement button 63 can also be said to be a button for swapping two icons adjacent to the left and right.

The procedure for moving right is roughly as follows. That is, first, the icon to be moved is tapped to select it. In this state, when the right movement button 63 is tapped, the selected icon and the icon arranged to the right of it are swapped. It should be noted that right movement is also possible between different tabs. For example, when the eighth icon, which is the rightmost icon on the nth tab screen, is moved right, the icon to be moved moves to the position of the first icon, which is the leftmost icon on the nth+1th tab screen, which is the next tab screen of the nth tab screen. Instead, the icon that was in the position of the first icon on the nth+1th tab screen moves to the position of the eighth icon on the nth tab screen.

The left movement button 62 is a button for moving one of the icons to the left of the icon in question. When the icon to be moved moves to the left, the other icon that was originally placed to the left of it moves to the right in reverse. In other words, the left movement button 62, like the right movement button 63, can also be said to be a button for swapping two adjacent icons on the left and right.

The procedure for moving left is roughly as follows. First, tap the icon to be moved to select it. When the left movement button 62 is tapped in this state, the selected icon and the icon located to its left will swap positions. Left movement is also possible between different tabs. For example, when moving left with the first icon, which is the leftmost icon on the nth tab screen, as the icon to be moved, the icon to be moved moves to the position of the eighth icon, which is the rightmost icon on the n-1th tab screen, which is the tab screen immediately before the nth tab screen. Instead, the icon that was in the position of the eighth icon on the n-1th tab screen moves to the position of the first icon on the nth tab screen.

Specific examples of various editing operations for icons will be described with reference to Figs. 5(a), 5(b), 6(a), and 6(b). Fig. 5(a) is an example of a standby screen setting screen 60 that is displayed after authentication processing when the administrator button 28 in the standby screen 25 is tapped when the standby screen 25 is configured as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5(a) shows the standby screen setting screen 60 immediately after switching from the standby screen 25 in Fig. 3 to the standby screen setting screen 60, and the contents of each tab screen are exactly the same as the standby screen 25 in Fig. 3. After the standby screen setting screen 60 is displayed, various edits to the icons as described above can be made using the edit buttons 62 to 66 displayed in the edit button display area 61.

Figure 5 (b) shows the state in Figure 5 (a) after the security print icon as the sixth icon 46 and the 2-in-1 ID icon as the seventh icon 47 on the first tab screen 40 of the first tab 31, and the media print icon as the first icon 51 on the second tab screen 50 of the second tab 32 have each been erased using the erase button 65.

Figure 5 (b) also shows a state in which a shortcut function has been newly registered for the unregistered icon serving as the eighth icon 48 on the first tab screen 40 of the first tab 31 in Figure 5 (a), causing the eighth icon 48 to become a shortcut icon. The one-touch shortcut mark 92 described above is added to this shortcut icon. In other words, this shortcut icon indicates that a one-touch shortcut function has been registered.

Note that new registration of shortcut icons, default function icons, or setting icons for unregistered icons can be performed on both the standby screen 25 and the standby screen setting screen 60.

6A shows a state in which the shortcut icon of the one-touch shortcut function as the eighth icon 48 on the first tab screen 40 of the first tab 31 has been moved to the left from the state in FIG. 5B using the left movement button 62. By moving the shortcut icon as the eighth icon 48 to the left, the unregistered icon that was located at the position of the seventh icon 47 has been moved to the position of the eighth icon 48 instead.

In addition, FIG. 6(a) shows a state in which the shortcut icon for the normal shortcut function as the fifth icon 55 on the second tab screen 50 of the second tab 32 has been replaced with an unregistered icon as the first icon 51 on the upper side using the replace button 64, from the state shown in FIG. 5(b).

Figure 6 (b) shows the state in which the shortcut icon for the normal shortcut function as the first icon 51 located at the leftmost position on the second tab screen 50 of the second tab 32 has been moved to the left using the left movement button 62 from the state in Figure 6 (a). When the leftmost first icon 51 on the second tab screen 50 is moved to the left using the left movement button 62, it crosses tabs and replaces itself with the eighth icon 48, which is the rightmost icon on the first tab screen 40 of the previous first tab 31.

Also, FIG. 6(b) shows a state in which the web service icon as the second icon 52 on the second tab screen 50 of the second tab 32 has been replaced with an unregistered icon as the fourth icon 44 on the first tab screen 40 using the replace button 64, from the state shown in FIG. 6(a). In other words, this shows an example of replacing icons across tabs between different tab screens.

After performing various editing operations on the standby screen setting screen 60, when the home button 8 is pressed, the standby screen 25 is displayed on the display unit 13. The standby screen 25 displayed at that time reflects the editing results of the various editing operations performed on the standby screen setting screen 60.

In this way, by performing various editing operations on the standby screen setting screen 60, the user can customize each tab screen of each tab in various ways. In other words, the user can freely decide which icons to place on which tab screen.

(1-6) Supplementary explanation regarding the pseudo-standby screen When any of the prescribed functions is started, a pseudo-standby screen 80 as shown in Fig. 4 is displayed during the execution of the function. Also, when facsimile data arrives while the standby screen 25 is displayed, a process for receiving the facsimile data is started as one of the facsimile functions, and the pseudo-standby screen 80 is displayed.

In this embodiment, the pseudo standby screen 80 displays a fax icon 86, a copy icon 87, and a scan icon 88 among various default function icons, so that even if any function is being executed, any of the fax function, copy function, and scan function can be executed in parallel. The number and types of default function icons displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80 may be determined as appropriate.

As described above, various edits such as deleting and moving can be performed on the standby screen setting screen 60 for the icons displayed on the standby screen 25, i.e., each icon on each tab screen for each tab. Therefore, for the standby screen 25 having the first tab screen 40 as shown in the upper part of Figure 7, it is also possible to delete the fax icon as the first icon 41.

Here, it is assumed that the fax-only mode is set as the receiving mode for facsimile data. The fax-only mode is a receiving mode in which, upon receiving an incoming call, facsimile data is automatically received and stored in the storage unit 12 without the user having to operate the screen. A receiving mode setting icon, which is a setting icon for transitioning to a screen for setting the receiving mode of the facsimile function, is registered as the fourth icon 44 on the first tab screen 40 in the upper part of Fig. 7. The currently set receiving mode is displayed on this receiving mode setting icon, as shown in Fig. 7.

When an editing operation is performed to erase the fax icon as the first icon 41 in the first tab screen 40, the contents of the first tab screen 40 are changed to a state in which the fax icon that existed as the first icon 41 is erased and an unregistered icon is displayed instead, as shown in the middle of Figure 7. This prevents the user from sending facsimile data. However, if the reception mode is set to fax-only mode, facsimile data will be received automatically even if the fax icon has been erased from the standby screen 25.

When the fax icon is erased from the standby screen 25, if the receiving mode is set to the fax-only mode, the fax icon 86 will also not be displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80, as shown in the lower part of Figure 7. Therefore, if an administrator wishes to prohibit the transmission of facsimile data, the fax icon can be erased from the standby screen to disable the transmission of facsimile data.

However, even if the fax icon is removed from the standby screen 25, if the fax data reception mode is set to manual mode, the fax icon 86 will be displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80.

Specifically, for a standby screen 25 having a first tab screen 40 as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, when an editing operation is performed on the standby screen setting screen 60 to erase the fax icon as the first icon 41 in the first tab screen 40, the contents of the first tab screen 40 will be changed to a state in which the fax icon that existed as the first icon 41 is erased and an unregistered icon is displayed instead, as shown in the middle part of FIG. 8.

At this time, assume that manual mode is set as the receiving mode for facsimile data. Manual mode is a receiving mode in which the user must operate the fax icon when a call is received. In the first tab screen 40 shown in the upper and middle sections of Figure 8, the receiving mode setting icon registered as the fourth icon 44 indicates that the currently set receiving mode is manual mode.

When facsimile data is received while the standby screen 25 is displayed, the control unit 11 starts processing for receiving the facsimile data, which is one of the facsimile functions. At this time, the screen displayed on the display unit 13 switches from the standby screen 25 to the pseudo standby screen 80. In this case, although the fax icon has been erased from the standby screen 25, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8, the fax icon 86 is displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80. Therefore, the user can normally receive facsimile data corresponding to the manual mode by tapping the fax icon 86 displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80.

Even if the fax icon is erased from the standby screen 25, if the reception mode is the manual mode, the fax icon 86 is displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80, but in this case, the facsimile function that can be executed by tapping the fax icon 86 on the pseudo standby screen 80 is reception of facsimile data, and transmission is not possible. However, it is not essential to disable transmission, and if the fax icon 86 is displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80, the specifications may be such that tapping the fax icon 86 allows transmission of facsimile data.

As described above, in this embodiment, when all function execution icons relating to a particular default function are erased, the default function icon corresponding to that default function will no longer be displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80 as a general rule.

In addition, for a default function that is set to display a default function icon on the pseudo standby screen 80, if there is at least one function execution icon for that default function among all tab screens, the default function icon for that default function will be displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80.

For example, suppose that the copy icon as the second icon 42 is erased from the standby screen 25 shown on the left side of FIG. 3. In this case, although the copy icon is erased, the 2-in-1 ID copy icon as the seventh icon 47, which is an icon for executing a function related to the copy function, still remains. In such a case, the copy icon 87 is displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80. If the 2-in-1 ID copy icon is erased in addition to the copy icon, and there are no icons for executing a function related to the copy function across all tab screens, the copy icon 87 is no longer displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80.

(1-7) Description of Main Control Process Next, the main control process executed by the control unit 11 to realize the various functions described above will be described with reference to Fig. 9. When the power button 5 is pressed to turn on the power and start up, the control unit 11 executes the main control process shown in Fig. 9.

When the control unit 11 starts the main control process of FIG. 9, in S110, it acquires standby screen information. That is, information related to the standby screen 25 to be displayed on the display unit 13 is acquired from the storage unit 12. In S120, the standby screen 25 is displayed on the display unit 13 based on the standby screen information acquired in S110. Note that the initial values of the tab screens, i.e., the tab screen to be displayed first on the standby screen 25 after startup, the tab screen in the standby screen 25 that is displayed after the execution of a function is completed, and the tab screen in the standby screen 25 that is displayed when the home button 8 is pressed, may be determined appropriately, and in this embodiment, for example, is the first tab screen 40 corresponding to the first tab 31.

In S130, it is determined whether the administrator button 28 in the standby screen 25 has been tapped. If the administrator button 28 has been tapped, the above-mentioned authentication process is performed in S140. Then, if the authentication conditions, such as a password match, are met and the authentication is successful, in S150, the standby screen setting screen 60 is displayed on the display unit 13.

In S160, a display editing process is executed. Specifically, when an editing operation is performed using each of the icon editing buttons 62 to 66 displayed in the editing button display area 61 on the standby screen setting screen 60, processing such as moving or erasing the icon is performed according to the content of the editing operation. The standby screen information in the memory unit 12 is updated according to the result of the display editing process of S160.

In S170, it is determined whether the home button 8 has been pressed. If the home button 8 has not been pressed, the process returns to S160, where the standby screen setting screen 60 continues to be displayed, and if an editing operation has been performed, the display editing process is executed. If the home button 8 has been pressed, the process returns to S110, and the standby screen 25 is displayed again on the display unit 13 via S110 and S120.

If the administrator button 28 on the standby screen 25 is not tapped in S130, the process proceeds to S180. In S180, it is determined whether or not incoming facsimile data has been detected. If incoming facsimile data has been detected, the process proceeds to S250.

In S250, it is determined whether the fax icon, which is one of the default function icons, has been erased from the standby screen 25. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the fax icon is preregistered as the first icon 41 on the first tab screen 40, but it can also be erased by the aforementioned modification operation.

If the fax icon has not been removed from the standby screen 25, proceed to S270. If the fax icon has been removed from the standby screen 25, proceed to S260. In S260, it is determined whether the reception mode is set to manual mode. If it is set to manual mode, proceed to S270.

In S270, the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 13. At this time, the pseudo standby screen 80 displays a fax icon 86, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 8. After the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed, in S290, an incoming call handling process is executed. If the process proceeds from S270 to S290, specifically, in S290, the process waits for the fax icon 86 in the pseudo standby screen 80 to be tapped by the user, and when the tap is executed, a receiving process of the facsimile data is executed. Once the facsimile data is received and stored in the memory unit 12, the incoming call handling process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S110.

If the reception mode is not set to manual in S260, i.e., if it is set to fax-only mode, the process proceeds to S280. In S280, the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 13. At this time, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the fax icon 86 is not displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80. After the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed, the process proceeds to S290 to execute an incoming call handling process. If the process proceeds from S280 to S290, specifically, in S290, the process automatically executes a facsimile data reception process without user operation. Once the facsimile data has been received and stored in the memory unit 12, the incoming call handling process is terminated and the process proceeds to S110.

If no incoming facsimile data is detected in S180, the process proceeds to S190. In S190, it is determined whether an instruction to start copying has been given. An instruction to start copying is given when an icon corresponding to the copy function among the icons in the standby screen 25 is tapped. In the example of the standby screen 25 shown in FIG. 3, the icon corresponding to the copy function is the copy icon or the 2-in-1 ID copy icon, and in S190, if either of these icons is tapped, it is determined that an instruction to start copying has been given.

If it is determined in S190 that a copy start instruction has been issued, the pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 13 in S200, and the process corresponding to the tapped copy function is executed in S210. Note that with regard to the pseudo standby screen 80 displayed in S200, the fax icon 86 is displayed if the receiving mode of the facsimile function is the manual mode, but is not displayed if it is the fax-only mode.

The processing of S210 after displaying the pseudo standby screen 80 on the display unit 13 in S200 also includes determining whether or not a default function icon displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80 has been tapped, and, if tapped, executing in parallel the default function corresponding to the tapped default function icon.

If a copy start instruction has not been given in S190, the process proceeds to S220. In S220, it is determined whether or not a start instruction for a function other than the copy function has been given. Specifically, it is determined whether or not an icon other than the copy function icon among the icons displayed on the standby screen 25 has been tapped. Icons other than the copy function icon here include not only default function icons, but also shortcut icons and setting icons. If an icon other than the copy function icon has been tapped, the process corresponding to the tapped icon is executed in S210. If no icon has been tapped, the process proceeds to S230.

In S230, it is determined whether any of the multiple tabs displayed on the standby screen 25 has been tapped. If no tab has been tapped, the process returns to S130. If any tab has been tapped, in S240, a tab switching process is executed. Specifically, the tapped tab is set to a selected state, and the tab screen associated with that tab is displayed in the tab screen display area 36.

(1-8) Advantages of the Embodiment According to the embodiment described above, the following advantages (1a) to (1f) are obtained.
(1a) In the function executing device 10 of the present embodiment, a defined function icon, a shortcut icon, and an unregistered icon can be simultaneously displayed on the same tab screen. Therefore, from the standby screen 25 on which the same tab screen is displayed, the user can tap a defined function icon to execute a function, tap an unregistered icon to newly generate a shortcut icon or another type of icon, or tap a shortcut icon to execute a shortcut function, without switching tabs.

Therefore, according to the function executing device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the ease of use when selecting a function to be executed from the standby screen in tab format.
(1b) In the function executing device 10 of the present embodiment, the standby screen setting screen 60 can be displayed with administrator authority, and various editing operations can be performed on each icon to be displayed on the standby screen 25. Therefore, a standby screen can be realized according to the user's purpose of use, preferences, etc.

(1c) In this embodiment, the various editing operations that can be performed on each icon on the standby screen setting screen 60 include moving an icon to the right, moving an icon to the left, swapping icons, deleting a single icon, and deleting all icons at once.

For example, it is possible to erase unnecessary icons, or conversely, place the same icon on multiple different tab screens, or change the position of the icon, thereby realizing a standby screen that better reflects the user's purpose and preferences.

(1d) When any of the specified functions is started, a pseudo standby screen 80 is displayed on the display unit 13. In this embodiment, the pseudo standby screen 80 displays default function icons 86, 87, and 88 for the default functions of the fax function, copy function, and scan function, as shown in FIG. 4. By tapping any of the default function icons in the pseudo standby screen 80, the user can execute another default function in parallel with the currently executing function.

(1e) When the function execution icon for a specific default function is erased across all tab screens, the default function icon corresponding to that default function is also no longer displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80. Therefore, if you want to prohibit the use of a specific default function, you can effectively prevent the user from unintentionally using that default function by erasing all function execution icons for that default function.

(1f) Regarding the facsimile function, if the receiving mode is set to manual mode, the fax icon 86 is displayed on the pseudo standby screen 80 even if all function execution icons related to the facsimile function are erased. This allows the user to normally receive facsimile data in manual mode even if sending facsimile data is prohibited.

In this embodiment, the fax icon corresponds to a fax function icon, and the unregistered icon corresponds to an example of an icon for registering a shortcut. The administrator button 28 corresponds to an icon for the administrator. The left movement button 62, the right movement button 63, and the swap button 64 all correspond to examples of buttons for changing positions, and the erase button 65 and the all erase button 66 all correspond to examples of buttons for erasing. The normal shortcut mark 91 added to a shortcut icon in which a normal shortcut function is registered corresponds to a first image, and the one-touch shortcut mark 92 added to a shortcut icon in which a one-touch shortcut function is registered corresponds to a second image.

In addition, in the main control process of FIG. 9, the process of S120 corresponds to standby screen display process, the process of S150 corresponds to setting screen display process, the process of S210 corresponds to icon operation response process, the process of S240 corresponds to tab screen switching process, the processes of S200, S270, and S280 correspond to pseudo standby display process, and the processes of S210 and S290 correspond to an example of parallel execution process.

2. Other embodiments
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

(2-1) It is possible to freely decide what type of icons are to be arranged on the same tab screen. For example, only one of the four types of icons, namely, default function icons, setting icons, shortcut icons, and unregistered icons, may be arranged on the same tab screen, or two or more types of icons may be mixed. Also, for example, a standby screen with no icons displayed on the tab screen in the initial state at the time of shipment, etc. may be provided, and an administrator or user may be allowed to freely decide icons for the standby screen in the initial state.

(2-2) The number of icons arranged on one tab screen being eight is merely an example, and the number of icons arranged on one tab screen may be determined as appropriate. In addition, where and how multiple icons are arranged on the tab screen may also be determined as appropriate.

(2-3) The five types of editing operations described above, namely, moving left, moving right, swapping, erasing, and erasing all, as various editing operations that can be performed on the standby screen setting screen 60, are merely examples. Editing operations with content different from these five types of editing operations may also be performed.

(2-4) The total number of tabs Nt may be changeable. That is, for example, if the total number of tabs is 10 at the time of shipment, the user may be able to increase the total number of tabs to 11 or more, or decrease it to 9 or less.

(2-5) Where to display tabs and where to display icons on the standby screen may be determined as appropriate. For example, on the standby screen 25 shown in FIG. 2, the tab display area 30 and the tab screen display area 36 may be upside down.

(2-6) If one of a number of specified functions is started while the standby screen is displayed, the pseudo standby screen may not be displayed depending on the type of function that is started. For example, if the scan function is started, the pseudo standby screen may not be displayed.

The types and number of icons to be displayed on the pseudo standby screen may be determined as appropriate. For example, shortcut icons may be displayed on the pseudo standby screen. In addition, an administrator or a user may be able to add or change the icons to be displayed on the pseudo standby screen.

(2-7) The functions that the function executing device can execute, such as the facsimile function, scan function, copy function, print function, and web service function, are merely examples. Functions different from the functions described above may be executed. The types and number of executable functions may be determined as appropriate.

(2-8) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. All aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording described in the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure .

10...function execution device, 11...control unit, 12...storage unit, 13...display unit, 14...input unit, 14a...touch panel, 15...image reading unit, 16...printing unit, 17...media interface unit, 18...first communication unit, 19...second communication unit, 25...standby screen, 26...left button, 27...right button, 28...administrator button, 30...tab display area, 31-34...first tab to fourth tab, 36...tab screen display area, 40...first tab tab screen, 41-48, 51-58...first icon to eighth icon, 50...second tab screen, 60...standby screen setting screen, 61...edit button display area, 62...left movement button, 63...right movement button, 64...swap button, 65...delete button, 66...all delete button, 80...pseudo standby screen, 91...shortcut mark, 92...one-touch shortcut mark, 100...communication line, 110...external telephone.

Claims (18)

A display unit;
a touch panel capable of detecting a pointing operation by a pointer on the display unit and a position where the pointing operation is performed;
A control unit capable of executing a plurality of image forming processes including a printing process;
A printing device comprising:
the control unit is configured to be capable of executing a standby screen display process for displaying a standby screen in an image display area of the display unit,
the standby screen includes one icon screen that is alternatively selected from among a plurality of icon screens,
Each of the plurality of icon screens includes a plurality of icons arranged in m rows and n columns;
The m and n are each a natural number,
Each of the plurality of icons is displayed in a manner including an icon image and an icon name,
the control unit is further configured to execute a shortcut icon arrangement process, in response to receiving an addition instruction for instructing addition of a shortcut icon via the touch panel, to arrange the shortcut icon on any one of the plurality of icon screens as one of the plurality of icons together with a default icon that is different from the shortcut icon;
the additional instruction includes a first operation for designating one of the plurality of image forming processes, and a second operation for designating an execution condition of the image forming process designated by the first operation,
the shortcut icon is an icon in which the image forming process specified by the first operation and the execution condition specified by the second operation are registered,
the predetermined icon is an icon arranged on the icon screen without relying on the additional instruction, and includes an icon associated with any one of the image forming processes among the plurality of image forming processes;
The control unit further
an icon operation response process that starts a process for executing the image forming process registered to the icon when the icon arranged on the standby screen is operated;
an authentication process for determining whether a specific authentication condition is satisfied;
an editing screen display process for displaying, in the image display area, one editing screen that is alternatively selected from among a plurality of editing screens in response to the authentication condition being established by the authentication process, the plurality of editing screens corresponding to the plurality of icon screens, respectively;
an editing screen switching process for switching the editing screen to be in the selected state from a first editing screen, which is the editing screen currently being displayed, to a second editing screen, which is the editing screen different from the first editing screen, in response to receiving an editing screen switching operation via the touch panel while the editing screen is being displayed, to switch the second editing screen to the selected state and display it in the image display area;
an editing process in which, when an editing operation is performed on the editing screen displayed in the image display area to edit an arrangement of the plurality of icons on the editing screen, the arrangement of the plurality of icons on the icon screen corresponding to the editing screen is edited based on the editing operation;
It is configured to be able to execute
the editing operation includes a replacement operation for replacing a first icon among the plurality of icons in the editing screen displayed in the image display area with a second icon among the plurality of icons in the editing screen other than the editing screen that is not displayed in the image display area,
The replacement operation is
an operation of selecting the first icon displayed in the image display area;
the editing screen switching operation for displaying the different editing screen in the image display area after the first icon is selected;
an operation of selecting the second icon on the other editing screen displayed by the editing screen switching operation;
Including,
the editing process includes replacing the first icon and the second icon on the plurality of icon screens in response to the replacement operation being performed.
Printing device. 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit further
an icon screen switching process in which, in a state in which the icon screen is being displayed, in response to receiving, via the touch panel, an icon screen switching operation for switching the icon screen to be in the selected state from a first icon screen, which is the icon screen currently being displayed, to a second icon screen, which is the icon screen different from the first icon screen, the second icon screen being switched to the selected state and displayed in the image display area, the first icon screen corresponding to the first editing screen and the second icon screen corresponding to the second editing screen;
It is configured to be able to execute
the edit screen switching operation and the icon screen switching operation each include the same operation procedure;
Printing device. 3. The printing device according to claim 2 ,
the same operation procedure includes scrolling an image displayed in the image display area;
Printing device. 4. The printing device according to claim 2, further comprising:
the icon screen and the editing screen each include a button image in the same display form;
the same operation procedure includes operating the button image,
Printing device. 5. The printing device according to claim 4,
a relative position of the button image with respect to the plurality of icons on the icon screen is the same as a relative position of the button image with respect to the plurality of icons on the editing screen;
Printing device. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A printing device, wherein n is greater than m. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A printing device, wherein m and n are each a natural number of 2 or more. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
a display mode of the plurality of icons on the editing screen, in which (i) the plurality of icons are arranged in the m rows and n columns, and (ii) each of the plurality of icons includes the icon image and the icon name, is common to a display mode of the plurality of icons when the plurality of icons are displayed on the standby screen;
A display manner of a portion different from the plurality of icons on the editing screen is different from a display manner of a portion different from the plurality of icons on the standby screen.
Printing device. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
A printing device, wherein the editing operation includes the instruction operation via the touch panel on the icon to be edited on the editing screen displayed in the image display area. 10. The printing device according to claim 9 ,
A printing device, wherein the pointing operation includes bringing a pointer into contact with and/or close to an area of the touch panel in which the icon to be edited is displayed. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
The editing process includes a process of changing a position of the icon on the icon screen. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The editing process includes a process of deleting one or more of the plurality of icons on the icon screen from the icon screen. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 ,
The editing process includes a process of exchanging the positions of two of the icons included in the icon screen with each other. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
A printing device, wherein the editing process includes a process of moving the icon included in the icon screen corresponding to the editing screen displayed in the image display area to an icon screen other than the icon screen corresponding to the editing screen displayed in the image display area. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 ,
One of the first icon and the second icon is not registered with the image forming process, and the other is registered with the image forming process.
Printing device. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 ,
A printing device, wherein the editing process includes a process of moving the icon included in the icon screen corresponding to the editing screen displayed in the image display area to a position where the icon in which the image forming process is registered is not located. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 ,
The editing process includes a process of collectively erasing the plurality of icons included in each of the plurality of icon screens. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 17 ,
The control unit is further configured to be able to execute a process of increasing and/or decreasing the number of the plurality of icon screens.

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